The Haut-de-jardin level (François-Mitterrand Library) is open to anyone 16 years of age and over. Entrance to the Research Library (François-Mitterrand, Richelieu-Louvois, Arsenal and Opera libraries) housing the heritage collections, is limited to accredited users.

Before buying a reader’s card

Check with the Readers' Guidance Service (Service d’orientation des lecteurs) that the documentation required is actually available in the Haut-de-jardin library's reading rooms.

Using the display screens near the pay desks, please check that there are places available in the reading rooms .

Two reader’s cards

1 day card on sale at the pay desks in the East hall (hall Est ). This card is valid for all reading rooms and is needed each time you enter a room. You may enter and leave the rooms as often as you need to, within the same day.

Annual card , issued by the Reception desks in the East hall, on presentation of identification. It is strictly for personal use and valid for one year from the issue date.

A specific subscription is proposed to private or public companies or institutions: the 'carte Pro'.

Exemptions

Students at the Ecole nationale des Chartes, the ENSSIB and the Institut national du Patrimoine who are completing internships in libraries, museums and national heritage services

Individuals from any category (civil servants and contractual employees) employed by a French public institution who hold scientific or technical posts in libraries, museums, archives or national heritage services.

Staff employed by the BnF and retired former employees

Peak hours in the reading rooms

During certain periods of the year, the reading rooms of the Haut-de-jardin Library are largely frequented.

The Affluences application, available for free on iPhone and Android, allows to know in real time the occupancy rate of libraries in Paris.

So far as the Haut-de-jardin Library, Affluences indicates, for each reading room, the current occupancy rate and forecasts half an hour by half an hour. Data are updates every five minutes.

Children access to room I (National Centre for youth literature)

Room I (National Centre for youth literature) is open to families on Saturdays and Sundays. Access is free for chidren under 16 years of age. They must be accompanied by an adult in possession of a valid reader's card, up to a limit of three children by adult.